COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 5/9/2002
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved)
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MAY 9, 2002
Mayor Slocomb called the meeting to order at 7:16 PM. Also present were Ald.
Petfalski, Le Doux, Salentine, Sanders, Patterson and Damaske, and Clerk-Treasurer
Marenda. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. The Mayor noted
the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
Ald. Salentine moved to approve minutes of the March 14, 2002 meeting. Ald. Le Doux
seconded; motion carried.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES
EMS Presentation by Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department. Jeff Verburgt stated
that the department is continuing work toward the implementation of the Intermediate
EMT Program in accordance with the Letter of Understanding, and announced three
demonstrations of rescue calls would be presented live at this meeting. Angie
Brindowski gave a power-point presentation while the demonstrations proceeded. Of
the 45 EMTs, five are at a higher level now and 15 are currently in training. She
reported in 2001, 889 rescue calls were made. In 71 cases there were two rescue calls
handled simultaneously, and in eight cases, three rescue calls received within a 15-
minute period. The police officers are fully trained with CPR, have defibrillators in the
squads, and always respond to all rescue calls to provide assistance. Plans are to
continue with the first responder program throughout the City. No plans to increase the
service or add another ambulance because people aren’t available to man a fourth
ambulance.
Review Status of Community Center Project
Mayor reported the results of the Community Recreation Center census are in process
of being tabulated. 2800 forms have been submitted to Mr. Kashian, and another 1000
have been submitted for transmittal to him. Summary data won’t be available until the
th
May 28 Council meeting. Surveys can still be submitted, but they will be dated and
held until those already received have been tabulated. The over 40% responses
received have exceeded the 15% expected. Ald. Patterson requested a public hearing
be held to review the census results.
Ald. Petfalski asked Finance Director Gunderson to be present to review non-tax
funding sources for a possible contingency plan for the community center. Ald. Le Doux
asked if any overages in membership fees could go into a separate fund. Mayor noted
each year any surplus of revenue over expenditures would be put into a reserve fund
and would accumulate for scheduled replacements, major maintenance and updates.
Ald. Petfalski noted that for him to support this, he needs a positive response from the
census, and also an insurance-type fund to assure payment of expenses without
taxpayer funding. He also mentioned naming rights fees could be used to create the
fund, or use of landfill funds, as well as other funding sources not even thought of yet.
He was thinking of possibly a start-up fund of about $500,000. Ald. Patterson
expressed concern about not hurting other programs currently earmarked to use landfill
funds, such as land conservancy. Dawn Gunderson reported that if the center comes to
fruition, an enterprise fund would be set up much like the utilities, and would be
separate from the general fund of the City. Reserves can be built up. A spreadsheet
was distributed showing projected revenues and expenses of the Landfill Special
Committee of the Whole Page 2
Minutes of Meeting Held 5/09/02
Revenue Fund as presented during the 2002 budget deliberations. If the community
center was completed in 2003 and in full operation in 2004, this fund would have a
projected $894,000 in uncommitted dollars available.
Ald. Petfalski said the goal of the center is not to lose money, and a number of things
could be done to avoid it such as lowering expenses, cutting back programs, staff,
changing management, etc. He noted the feasibility study used expenses on the high
end and revenues on the low end. Ms. Gunderson was excused at 8:50 PM.
Review Status of Old Muskego Settlement Centre
Mayor advised the Old Town Hall is about 70-80% cleaned out. He is reviewing the
contract between the Historical Society and the moving contractor, and will be providing
some recommended changes. Ald. Le Doux reported the Plan Commission approved
the redesign of the roof on the addition to conform to the style of the existing building.
New Berlin Drainage and Stormwater Issues
Mayor stated he met with New Berlin Mayor Wysocki, and thanked him for the support
he has provided for the stormwater issues in the Tess Corners area. The next area to
be addressed is on the west side of town and he is willing to have us meet with their
Committee of the Whole.
Discuss Streetscape - Gateways to City
Ald. Le Doux reported the Mayor’s Task Force has this on hold.
Continued Discussion on Moorland Road Corridor – Janesville to McShane
Mayor reported the construction project has started.
Continued Discussion on Durham Drive – McShane to OO
Nothing new to report.
Lake Fees Study Committee Update
Mayor advised the study will be completed this year.
Update on Power Plant Proposals
Mayor reported the certificate of necessity and need submitted by El Paso to the PSC
has been returned as incomplete and they must work on certain issues and re-submit.
2
BTwill be reviewing materials as they are submitted. Ald. Petfalski noted El Paso has
advised they intend to send out a city-wide mailing to inform residents of the status of
their proposal.
Discuss Consolidated Dispatch
Mayor reported after meeting in different sessions with municipal executives in the area
that they are feeling this is a done deal and will support it or just let it proceed. Only two
are showing strong reservations, New Berlin and Muskego. A Virchow Krause audit is
to be done of all communities and Muskego was scheduled this past Monday, but it
didn’t happen. The audit is to show costs for Muskego with its own service and with
joint dispatch. At the present time there doesn’t appear to be any kind of back-up
facility. They are looking at the current county system, but it would be a cold system.
Racine County is not going forward with consolidated dispatch and won’t be a back-up.
Committee of the Whole Page 3
Minutes of Meeting Held 5/09/02
New Berlin is not large enough to be a back-up for the whole county. How to handle
pager service for firefighters is just starting to be looked at. Human Resource issues
are still a concern. Some of the municipal executives are concerned about potential
cuts in state shared revenue, and possible caps on revenues or a tax rate cap, and see
consolidated dispatch as a good way to reduce their local budgets, ignoring the fact that
there could be an increase in the total cost to their taxpayers.
Discuss Governor’s Proposal Relating to State Shared Revenues
Mayor reported he and Dawn attended a seminar sponsored by Ehlers and Associates.
One group of speakers was a Madison watchdog group. They reported basically there
will be nothing done this year. There is no law that requires them to pass a budget
reauthorization bill and eventually they’ll run out of money and need to borrow. The
deficit will go into next year. Without the tobacco money they would have run out of
money already last year. We’ll need to budget for 2003 anticipating all the shared
revenue will be gone. They’re also looking at transportation aids local governments
receive from the state. That fund is also in the “red”, with cuts also anticipated there.
Update Regarding Community Development Authority
Mayor stated he will be looking for members to serve once all openings on the other
boards, commissions and committees have been filled.
Determine Date for Special Council Meeting to Interview Candidates for District 7
Alderperson
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at 6:00 PM. Clerk-Treasurer to notify
candidates on Friday. All applicants will be interviewed, and the successful candidate
will be sworn in at that meeting.
Miscellaneous Business
The next COW meeting was scheduled for June 13, 2002.
Adjournment
Ald. Damaske moved to adjourn at 9:29 PM. Ald. Petfalski seconded; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean K. Marenda, CMC
Clerk-Treasurer